From Panama to Biscayne Bay: Aymeé Vasquez on Miami SUP culture, Infinity quiver & that “Lambo” board

Miami is one of the most dynamic stand-up paddleboarding destinations in the United States, offering an unbeatable mix of tropical scenery, urban skyline views and year-round warm water. Biscayne Bay sits at the heart of the scene, with calm, protected waters that are perfect for beginners and ideal for sunrise and sunset paddles framed by the Miami skyline.

Crandon Park and North Bay Village add to Miami’s appeal with scenic shorelines, quiet inlets and easy launch points that make both social paddles and structured training sessions accessible. It is here in North Bay Village that Aymeé Vasquez – a graphic designer originally from Panama, has created her own coaching playground. What was once simply a convenient local launch has evolved into a grassroots hub for community paddling and athlete development.

We caught up with Aymeé, iPaddle Miami’s certified SUP instructor, Wellness Director (and web designer,!), as well as Founder / Coach at the North Bay Village SUP Club – to talk about the local paddling landscape and why Miami remains one of the most energetic places to invest in the sport’s growth. As the wider paddling scene began to shift, Aymeé chose to focus her efforts at community level, rebuilding momentum within her own neighbourhood and strengthening the training and social SUP culture that has long defined Miami.

A loyal and dedicated rider of Infinity SUP, Aymeé has built her quiver around performance shapes that thrive in Biscayne Bay’s varied conditions — from flatwater training boards to her fastest race model, affectionately nicknamed “the Lambo” for its pure speed and sleek design.

Dive in to learn more about Miami’s SUP scene, Aymeé’s Infinity quiver, and why she nicknamed one board “the Lambo”!

Hello Aymeé, before we dive into stand up paddling, can you tell us a little about yourself – as you’re originally from in Panama, what brought you to Miami, how long ago that was, and a bit about your family and life today?

Hi, my name is Aymeé. I was born and raised in beautiful Panama. In 1989, I came to the United States to study graphic design. At the time, Panama was under the dictatorship of Manuel Noriega, and what was meant to be a temporary move became permanent one.

Miami became home, both personally and professionally. Over the years, I built my career as a freelance graphic and web designer, and as a fitness addict, I also found my passion on the water with SUP. Today, I am grateful to have created a life that blends creativity, community, and an active lifestyle.

You’re a certified SUP coach and a well-known figure in the Miami paddling community. How did your journey with stand up paddling begin, and how has it evolved until now?

My paddleboarding journey began 14 years ago when my friend Melina discovered SUP and launched a training company called SUPtheWorkout. She hired me to design her website and as I watched what she was building, I became curious. It looked challenging, energizing, and fun. I signed up for classes and quickly got hooked. I have always been an athlete, and SUP offered everything I value in training. It is low impact yet a true full body workout that builds strength, balance, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. It also puts you directly in nature, which adds another dimension to the experience.

Back then, Miami had a very active SUP community. We had a SUP league with over 20 paddler who trained every week and some of us travelled around the country to compete, allowing me to connected with other paddlers, and deepened my understanding of the sport and its benefits. Seeing my commitment, Melina encouraged me to get certified. I completed the PaddleFit 3 level certification and became an instructor, aka La Instructora. Since then, I have dedicated myself to sharing the discipline, joy, and community that stand up paddling brings.

You’re involved as a coach with both iPaddle Miami and the North Bay Village SUP club. What can you tell us about these two structures – their philosophy, their communities, and how they contribute to the growth of SUP in the Miami area?

For the past eight years, I have been iPaddle Miami’s web designer, SUP instructor, and Wellness Director. iPaddle’s philosophy is rooted in accessibility, education, and building confidence on the water. It is not just about renting boards, it is about creating skilled, mindful paddlers and a strong sense of community around Biscayne Bay.

As a long-time resident of North Bay Village, I saw an opportunity to bring that same spirit to my own neighborhood. With the support of Commissioner Doris Acosta, I founded the North Bay Village SUP Club to give residents a consistent, welcoming space to paddle, connect, and grow together.

Both platforms play a distinct role. iPaddle Miami introduces many people to the sport and sets a professional standard for instruction, while the North Bay Village SUP Club nurtures a hyper local community of committed paddlers. Together, they help expand and strengthen and grow the SUP culture throughout Miami.

North Bay SUP Club Village

What is your personal favourite Infinity board or piece of gear and why? And what Infinity equipment do you rely on most for your club and students at iPaddle Miami?

That is a tough question because I truly have a few favorites. My primary board is the Infinity Blackfish 23″, I absolutely love it. It is light, responsive, and versatile enough to handle almost any condition. It feels fast and refined on the water, which is why I named it “The Lambo.”

I used to own an Infinity Whiplash, which was incredible in flat water. That board glided effortlessly and felt like a rocket. I eventually sold it to one of my students, and I still see it flying across Miami’s waters.

For downwind days, the Infinity Downtown is another favorite. It is stable, smooth, and built to connect bumps beautifully.

For the North Bay Village SUP Club and students at iPaddle Miami, I rely on durable, stable boards like Infinity All Day Touring SUP that allow paddlers to build confidence while still experiencing performance. The right equipment makes a difference in progression, and Infinity consistently delivers that balance between stability, speed, and craftsmanship.

Miami has long been considered a hotspot for stand-up paddling, especially on the recreational side. From what you know, what’s the historical connection between Miami and SUP, and how has the scene evolved over the years?

Miami has always had a natural connection to stand up paddling. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, with year round warm weather, it is an ideal environment for water sports. When SUP began gaining momentum about 16 years ago, Miami quickly became one of its most active hubs on the East Coast. There were races, training groups, specialty shops, and a strong sense of community. Recreational paddlers and competitive athletes shared the same waters, and the sport was thriving.

Over time, the scene shifted. Some shops closed, races became less frequent, and the overall visibility of the sport declined. Like many trends, SUP experienced a peak and then a slowdown.

That shift is part of what motivated me to take action locally. I founded the North Bay Village SUP Club to bring paddling back to the grassroots level, inviting neighbors and friends onto the water and rebuilding community from within. Miami still has everything it needs to be a paddling hotspot. It just takes consistent leadership and community engagement to keep the momentum alive.

For someone who has never paddled in Miami and South Florida, what is it like? Can you describe the conditions, the landscapes. your favorite spots around Miami?

For someone who has never paddled in Miami or South Florida, it is a unique experience. The calm, shallow waters of Biscayne Bay are ideal for first timers. The bay offers protected areas with minimal chop, warm water year round, and wide open views that make learning feel safe and inspiring.

At iPaddle Miami, we are right in the heart of the bay, surrounded by mangroves with the Miami skyline in the background. Over the years, I have had the privilege of teaching many first time paddlers how to stand up on the board, find their balance, and enjoy their time on the water. Watching someone go from unsure to confident within one session never gets old.

Beyond the bay, South Florida offers diverse landscapes, from quiet mangrove tunnels to open ocean paddles on clear days. The variety keeps the experience fresh, whether you are brand new or an experienced paddler.

To find out more about Infinity SUP, visit infinity-sup.com

Follow Infinity on Instagram, Facebook  and YouTube

Follow Aymeé Vasquez on Instagram and check out her coaching and social SUP adventures via iPaddleMiami and the North Bay Village SUP club.